Hawksford appoints new CEO

By Dunedin, May 22,2013

Maxine Rawlins, partner at Ernst & Young, will take on the role of chief executive in 2014

Hawksford, the leading independent trust company which is backed by UK mid market private equity firm Dunedin, today announced that Maxine Rawlins, a partner at Ernst & Young, will take on the role of chief executive, in 2014, when the incumbent chief executive, Peter Murley, retires.

A partner at Ernst & Young in Jersey, Maxine currently leads the Channel Islands Tax Practice and is Head of EMEIA Asset Management Tax. Prior to this, she was chief executive of Maples Finance, an international trust business headquartered in the Cayman Islands. During this time she drove the significant growth of the business, including expansion into six new jurisdictions. Maxine was also director of business development and in-house legal counsel at Close Brothers. Maxine is a qualified barrister and Cayman registered attorney.

The current chief executive, Peter MurIey, who has held his role at Hawksford since March 2010 commented: “The Board and I would like to take this opportunity to formally welcome Maxine to Hawksford. Maxine has enormous experience in our market and is a highly respected and popular leader who will make a very significant contribution to the future of this business.

“I have made the personal decision to retire from my CEO role in 2014 after four years at Hawksford, during which the business has undergone substantial expansion with the support of our investor Dunedin and Chairman Philip Taylor.

“My focus is now on ensuring a seamless transition for our clients and staff.”

Earlier this year, Hawksford acquired Key Trust Company Ltd, its fourth acquisition since it was backed by Dunedin in October 2008.

In the last two years, the business has completed the acquisitions of Trustcorp Jersey Limited, L-S&S GmbH, a Swiss private wealth law firm and the employee solutions business of Standard Bank Dubai.

David Williams, partner at Dunedin, who sits on Hawksford’s board, commented: “We would like to join Peter and the Board in welcoming Maxine to Hawksford. She is highly experienced in her field and has successfully led businesses through periods of growth and expansion, which will be very relevant at Hawksford. Our focus remains on increasing client choice by driving international growth through a proactive buy and build strategy, and we look forward to working alongside Maxine to further enhance Hawksford’s market leading position.”

“We would also like to acknowledge the very significant contribution made by Peter since we backed Hawksford in 2008. Since then the company has gone on to establish itself as the largest independent trust company in the Channel Islands with an international footprint, revenues in excess of £20 million and a headcount of 170 high quality people. This is in no small part down to the excellent leadership that Peter has shown. Peter remains firmly in charge and we know his phenomenal work rate will continue through to 2014. We are delighted that he will be able to ensure a smooth transition to Maxine and we wish him a well deserved retirement.”

Maxine Rawlins commented: “Hawksford is one of the most progressive and innovative organisations of its kind and I am delighted to be a part of its future and continued success.”

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